YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayera
The timing connects Sargon II to the period of Chizkiyahu, King of Yehuda. Melachim (II, 18:9-11) tells that during the fourth year of Chizkiyahu, Shalmenesar was the king of Ashur who put Samaria under siege and eventually conquered it and exiled the people. The pasuk starts writing about the conquest, attributing it to the king in singular. However, the Massorites taught us that the vowels at the end of the pasuk refer to the conqueror in the plural. Modern archeology has clarified that our tradition was hinting that at that time, Shalmenesar died, and Sargon II finished the conquest and exiled the Israelites to distant lands. His name was apparently withheld due to the concept of "the names of the wicked will rot."
At the time of the navi Yeshyahau, the most powerful enemy was the Neo-Assyrian empire. At this time they returned to the "glory" of Nimrod, the ancient leader seated in Ninveh. Their military prowess was augmented by their infamous cruelty, which intimidated rivals. It is puzzling that in the whole section in which Yeshayahu prophesizes about several nations, Assyria, the most prominent nation of the time, who had a huge impact on Bnei Yisrael, was left out. On the other hand, there are two prophecies (one long, one short) about Bavel! Bavel, at that time, was part of the Assyrian empire, not independent. They were certainly not a power, which occurred only at the time of King Yoshiyahu.
There are actually several indications that the prophecy about Bavel really refers to Assyria. The navi warns about deserved punishment corresponding to the nation’s cruelty (Yeshayahu 13:9-19). It speaks also specifically about the cruelty of its king and the punishment he would receive, including the famous pasuk: "I will rise up on the stage of clouds, I will be like a deity" (ibid. 14:4-20). Right afterward, the pasuk (ibid. 24-25) says that "I will break Assyria in My land, and on My mountains, I will pummel it." This is what happened to Assyria, in the time of Chizkiyahu.
The haughty and cruel Sargon II was killed in battle in a distant land and was not even brought to grave. He who built a tower and wanted to "replace Hashem" laid like an animal carcass in the field, delighting his many enemies.
So why was the prophecy about Assyria attributed to Bavel? In Ninveh, they attributed Sargon II’s fall to the fact that he did not sufficiently follow the idols of Assyria but had a preference toward Babylonian idols. Yeshayahu followed his ancestor Avraham by calling out that Hashem is Ruler of the world and taught that Sargon II, who would not admit it, would be reduced to a lowly mortal. He was punished not for preferring Babylonian idols but for his arrogance and cruelty. Again, a descendant of Avraham taught the world the truth.
While the ego of world leaders makes big news, we should focus on humility and unity, as befitting the children of Avraham.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
